HCMC – The Philippines has launched a preliminary safeguard investigation into cement imports from several countries and territories, including Vietnam, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines.
The investigation covers products classified under AHTN codes 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00.
This action, initiated under Article 6 of the Safeguard Measures Act (Republic Act No. 8800), is based on initial data provided by the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Cement Manufacturers Association.
Evidence reviewed suggests that rising cement imports have significantly injured the Philippine cement industry.
Of the 38 cement exporters to the Philippines, 18 are Vietnamese companies. Preliminary data from the investigating authority showed that, during certain periods from 2019 to 2024, Vietnamese cement made up as much as 98% of total cement imports into the Philippine market.
Previously, the Philippines conducted investigations and imposed provisional safeguard duties on Vietnamese cement, as well as initiated anti-dumping investigations on cement imported from Vietnam.
By 2022, although the Philippine Tariff Commission recommended continuing safeguard duties on cement imports from Vietnam, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry disagreed and decided not to extend the safeguard duties, instead opting to impose anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese cement imports.
